Zambia - Days 7 & 8

Well, I'm still alive so that's a plus. No lion charge this year. Only a small croc who wasn't in the mood to play with me. We did come face to face with a large hippo on a walking safari but luckily I was faster then the person next to me so I wasn't too concerned. Nice evening in a world of its own.

Driving back to Lusaka, the capital, now. Have some classes to teach there as well as taking this group to a cultural market. We also plan to visit Misisi. A very large slum in the city where Kids Alive ministers and rescues some kids from.  Should be interesting.

Back in civilization

-Ryan

Ryan didn't send me any pics from the safari - but I promise to post them as soon as he sends them! - Ginny

Zambia - Day 6

Today was our final day in Mongu. We wrapped up computer lessons and finished up some other tasks for the week. We got to take the group to do some site seeing around Mongu. There was a leaving ceremony at the children's village tonight that was very touching. Tough to say goodbye to the people here. You really do build relationships in the short time you are here. They are so thankful for our involvement in their lives. I am thankful for their involvement in my life. They are wonderful people and I hope to continue to be here for them.

Tomorrow morning we leave for our safari. Internet will not be available so if I make it through without being eaten, I will be back in touch Sunday night.

Then back to computer classes in Lusaka on Monday.

 

  

Zambia - Day 5

Today was just another day teaching. It was the third day for two separate groups. We did a lot of email practice which they really liked. I also had them write me a story of what they wanted to do with their lives. Lots of good stories and dreams. All of them wanted to do something in public service which is great to see that the organization is making an impact not only on their kids' lives, but on the community as a whole. We also began to teach the advanced students how to maintain and fix the laptops.

Forgot to mention but Beth and I were ready to go back to the village from the guest house for teach yesterday and our bus wasn't there. So we decided that was a good time for our run. So we ran the mile and a half down the main street. It was a great run but boy did we get some crazy looks. Two white people running down a street in the middle of the day. We kept hearing little kids yell makooha (white person in their native language). A person in a car asked us of we needed help. It was quite entertaining. Much like last year I never felt unsafe or threatened at any time.

Tomorrow we finish teaching and begin some local site seeing.

Looks like my late night class just showed up so back to teaching I go.

Only one picture today, and it's a great one of Beth and this boy.  Can't wait to hear the story behind it.

Zambia - Day 4

Today started with a trip back to the squatter village with the newly orphaned girl and her brother that we met earlier in the week. We delivered clothes for them and their friends. I took a good pic that shows the before and after photos. Those two kids have been coming over to the compound daily and being fed until they can be adopted.  The joy on the kids faces was priceless.

 

Then we went to the children's compound.  We had a group for their third class so Beth began helping them create Facebook pages. The learning curve is quick. 

 

We then broke off and went to a local public school that Kids Alive helps support. The school was really pretty nice for Zambian standards. The kids had a great time working our group. Singing songs and doing school work.

 

After lunch we had another computer class and by the end there were over 20 students in there.  I was doing another session with the area leaders on their iPads so Beth and one of our high school students took over with the classes. Much like the Zambian schools, too many students, not enough teachers. The demand for the computer classes is growing daily and with such excitement. Good thing we have 6-7 laptops here now. Clearly we could use more.

 

One reason to stay in school is the male students who came with us to do the farming had to go get manure for the new seeds they were planting. No, not from a store but from a pig farm, straight from the pigs.  Shoveling it from where it fell. Now that is fresh. Good day to be a teacher.

The food has been better than last year and I'm used to the tub baths by now.  You can see that the program here is progressing. Hopefully with help, the progression will continue.

 

Hopefully the Internet improves as I have struggled to send pics or FaceTime. At least we have power now. There is typically 2-3 hours a day without power.

 

-Ryan

 

 

 

 

 

Zambia - Day 3

Today started by stopping by the squatter village of the girl who had no parents. We brought her and her friends a soccer ball and talked to the folks of that village. We set aside some of the donated clothes and will be delivering them tomorrow. The kids there had tattered shirts that were more rags than shirts. They are not part of Kids Alive but God has called us to help them as well. There is so much need here that you cant possibly help enough. Kids Alive is working to build a school for these kids as well. They may have parents but are far to poor to pay for public school.

 

 

After that visit we went on to the children's compound. Beth and I taught a morning class that went very well. In the afternoon I sat down with the leaders of this area for Kids Alive and taught them how to use the iPads we brought them. They were amazed with how much help they will provide. Sharing of pics and info through Dropbox will revolutionize the speed of communication. They also loved the video conferencing and messaging.  Upon return to the guest home we played with the younger children. And I am now writing this in the dark as we are going on an hour of the latest power outage. 

 

All is well and I quickly realize daily why I chose to return to this amazing land.

 

-Ryan

Farming Pics

Beth teaching computer classes

Not sure what's going on in this picture

Beth playing with the kids

The playground that they setup last year

I assume this is where Ryan is sleeping

Zambia - Day 2

Woke up ready to teach today but the director had another job for me. We went to a small village with huts where a little girl, maybe 10, lived with her little brother. Her mother had passed away and her father recently abandoned them and left the area. The director wanted me to get pictures of her and her dreadfully small and shabby home/hut to post to the govt. Her home was about 3 ft by 4 ft made of straw.   Kids Alive is trying to gain custody of them so they can take them into the program. The kids spoke no English and had no education. This is the reality for most kids here in Mongu that have not had the opportunity to be taken in by Kids Alive.

Moved on and setup the computer lab for classes.  Beth and I had a morning and an afternoon session. It was neat to see some familiar faces from last year back again. They did a decent job catching on but it was obvious there was no progress since my last visit.  They were still full of excitement to learn and they were able to grasp concepts.  With more time they will become more comfortable.  The area leaders are excited to sit down with me tomorrow afternoon so I can teach them to use the new iPads that we were able to provide. It is still amazing how often they say thank you and offer thanks to God. It is wonderful to be used to glorify God which is the reason we are here. To make Him the famous one and we are simply His vessels.

The farming project is coming along nicely as the irrigation systems are starting to take shape. It was fun to watch the kids play with the dry erase boards that group brought with them as well.  The high schoolers we brought are wonderful with the kids. You can see that group of young adults have a real passion for ministry.

Look forward to what is in store for us tomorrow.

- Ryan

This one breaks my heart.  This is the girl Ryan was describing.  She looks about Alyssa's age, and she's alone raising her brother who looks about Alaina's age.  I can't imagine what she's been through at such a young age.

And this is their house



Beth, teaching computer classes

"The Professor" at work.  That was his nickname last year, I wonder if they still call him that?

Another group is doing farming work

One of the women who went is helping to teach the children